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8 key facts on menstruation
8 key facts on menstruation
8 key facts on menstruation
On average a woman menstruates for about 7 years during their lifetime.
The first period can be met with either celebration, fear or concern. For every girl, this signifies an important transition to womanhood - a time when they would benefit from the support of family and friends.
Many girls do not have complete and accurate understanding of menstruation as a normal biological process. Educating girls before their first period and, importantly, boys -- on menstruation, builds their confidence, contributes to social solidarity and encourages healthy habits. Such information should be provided at home and at school.
Poor menstrual hygiene can pose physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections. Many girls and women have limited options for affordable menstrual materials. Providing access to private facilities with water and safer low-cost menstrual materials could reduce urogenital diseases.
Girls and women with disabilities and special needs face additional challenges with menstrual hygiene and are affected disproportionately with lack of access to toilets with water and materials to manage their period.
Many women and girls do not have access to materials to manage their menstruation, especially in times of emergency -- natural disasters and conflicts.
Globally, 2.3 billion people lack basic sanitation services and in Least Developed Countries only 27 per cent of the population has a handwashing facility with water and soap at home. Managing periods at home is a major challenge for women and adolescent girls who lack these basic facilities at home.
About half of the schools in low-income countries lack adequate drinking water, sanitation and hygiene crucial for girls and female teachers to manage their period. Inadequate facilities can affect girls’ experience at school, causing them to miss school during their period. All schools should provide running water, safe and clean toilets for adolescent girls
Your First Period: A Big Step in Growing Up
Your First Period: A Big Step in Growing Up
Your First Period: A Big Step in Growing Up
One of the most important milestones on your journey to becoming a young woman is getting your first period.
Your First Period
At school, there’s often a lot of talk about who has and hasn’t started their period yet. While it might feel like a big deal, remember that this moment is a natural rite of passage. The medical term for your very first period is menarche. Every girl experiences this differently some feel excited and proud, while others might feel nervous or even a little scared. Whatever your feelings, they’re completely normal. Having the right information can help you feel more confident and prepared to handle this change.
Why Do Girls Get Periods?
A question many girls ask is, “Why do we even have periods?” The answer is linked to the way our bodies are designed. A woman’s body has the ability to create and carry a baby. To prepare for this, each month your body gets ready just in case you might become pregnant. Your period is part of that process it’s a sign that your reproductive system is working the way it should. Think about it: women’s bodies are incredible because they can create life! That’s definitely something to be proud of.
A Monthly Cycle
Here’s what actually happens: every month, your womb builds up a soft, cushioned lining to make it ready for a fertilized egg to grow into a baby. But most of the time, pregnancy doesn’t happen. When your body doesn’t need that extra lining, it sheds it, and that’s what you see as your period. The flow is made up of blood, mucus, and tissue from your womb.
Nothing to Be Embarrassed About
It may feel a bit strange or even messy at first, but periods are completely normal and healthy. In fact, if your body didn’t release that lining, you could become unwell. So instead of being embarrassed, think of your period as your body’s way of cleansing itself each month.
The first few times might take some getting used to, but don’t worry you’ll soon understand your cycle and know what to expect. With a little time and knowledge, you’ll feel much more confident about this amazing stage of growing up.
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